*Chapter One:

"Part Two of Chapter One: The Weight of Secrets"
She started getting into drugs, partying, and that's where she met my dad. He was a truck driver, living a life of his own, with no concept of love, respect, or self-worth. They never got married, but continued having children, and I'm left wondering if it was ever love.

Their children suffered the consequences. My eldest brother struggles with relationships, seeking validation from older women. My second brother was physically and mentally abused, leaving him hurt and scarred. My sister was sexually abused at a young age. They grew up without love, without trust, and without a sense of self-worth.

My mom tried to escape, taking my two siblings to Durban, but they ended up eating from dustbins. Luckily, a friend intervened and took them back to my grandparents, where they were exploited, but eventually found jobs and are now trying to find their place in the world.

And then there's me. I was born, and I believe God had a plan for me. This is where my life begins.

Sometimes, the darkest moments in our lives can become the catalyst for a brighter future. It's not the mistakes we make that define us, but how we rise from them.

"You are loved, you are worthy, and you are enough. Don't let your past define you. Rise above it."

But the questions remain: Why did it have to be like this? Why did my parents have to suffer? Why did they have to make the choices they made? The pain is real, and it's palpable.

I don't hate my parents. I wish they could have found their way to God, to healing, and to purpose